Comments on: Asphalt Roads as Solar Collectors the Next Alternative Energy Revolution?

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:43:23 +0000

Propylene glycol is used in some solar collectors. It is also used in some ground-source heat pumps. You can Google to get more information on this.

I also commend an article Heat from the Street that appeared in the Economist. If you have a place to store heated water, you can use it to heat space and to heat the asphalt and melt snow in the winter. You reverse it in summer, to cool space and cool the asphalt. Asphalt degrades if it gets too hot and you drive on it, so this is a maintenance plan as well.

By: Ted Selker

Ted Selker — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:29:01 +0000

A simple use of under pavement piping is water for a heat pump as this would be cheaper than digging a well.
Another use is a water heater but this will take more controls and storage than conventional solar water heaters.

By: A Ergin Duygu

A Ergin Duygu — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:44:22 +0000

There are many alternative ways of producing renewable and/or clean energy. Important thing is not my or other peoples’ thoughts, but the VIPs’.
G-8 leaders decided to decrease CO2 emissions 50% until 2050. That means they are very happy with the fossil fuel economy and warming climate, which will supply more fossil fuel sources at the north pole.

By: Bob Greenie

Bob Greenie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:47:40 +0000

Yes every sustainable and environmentally friendly source of energy has to be a distinct plus – we have really and collectively not been really serious about exploring more enlightened options.

That has to change!

By: jay

jay — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:18:15 +0000

they could use a massive Stirling engine it can do work on even the lower heats. it has a very high thermal efficiency and uses heat as its energy. but that might cost allot of money to build on larger scales.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:02:21 +0000

I read recently about a co-generation product that is able to generate electricity with lower temps like these. I’ve searched all over looking for that article again but haven’t found it. Any one know about this?

By: RKRAO

RKRAO — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:38:44 +0000

The practise of using asphalt roads passing through the rural areas for drying crops has been in vogue from a long time in India,much to the chagrin of motor vehicle drivers

By: Robert Henry

Robert Henry — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:21:33 +0000

Asphault as a heat collector.

Please don’t focus on heating water. How much heating hot water do you need?

I think the concept is brilliant. But the asphault heat gets just so hot.

The question is how do you create energy from moderate heat sources versus intense heat sources.

The 175+ degree heat from engines. The 160 degree heat from asphault. The 140 degree heat from attics.

Solve that problem for any of these and you will solve them for all.